Rebels fall in OT to Cardinals on Cool 104

It was one of the most exciting games of the year, the #2 seed Southland Rebels came up just short against a tough #3 seed in the Bethlehem Academy Cardinals. The Cardinals game away with the 67-60 win in overtime in the Mayo Civic Auditorium Tuesday night.

Trailing 56-49, Southland's Jared Landherr, who finished with 30 points, went on a 5-0 run by himself to make the score 56-54 with just over two minutes to play. Chris Webber then connected on a shot to tie the game at 56 with just under two minutes to play. The Rebels got a stop, and then Thomas Bottema hit on a 12-foot jump shot to give the Rebels their first lead of the game at 58-56 with 1:04 remaining in the game.

The Cardinals were able to tie things up with eight seconds left, when Avery Hunt grabbed an offensive rebound, and got the put back to go to tie things up at 58. The Rebels had a look at the end of regulation but it did not go.

In the overtime session, the Cardinals got the firs three points of the game from Alex Bongers, who finished with 18 points, hit a free throw and another field goal to give the Cardinals a 61-58 lead. The Rebels were able to cut it to 61-60, but Cardinals were able to score on the next six points to secure the victory.

Luke Lonien / TSM Rochester

The Cardinals shot out on a 7-0 lead early in the game, and led between 7 and 13 points throughout the first half. Southland always made a run, but Bethlehem Academy was always able to make a couple shots of their own to hold the lead, helping them to a 38-30 lead at the break.

The Rebels road the back of Landherr, who was phenomenal throughout, the Rebels just ran out of gas at the end. Both teams left it all out on the floor in this one.

Damon Trump led the Cardinals with 20 points, while Hunt added 10 to round out the double figure scorers for the Cardinals. Bottema had 10 points for Southland in the loss.

The Cardinals move on to the Boys 1A West Sub-section final against Goodhue on Saturday, with an 8pm tipoff.